An air stewardess was bombarded with more than 500 phone calls and emails over three months by her ex-boyfriend.

Daniel Newsum, 35, stalked Tara Panchaud (crct) after they broke up.

He also followed her and tried to call her 192 times in just five days.

Yesterday (Weds) Newsum was banned from contacting Miss Panchaud, 36, for two years by a judge.

Newsum and Miss Panchaud both work as cabin crew for rival airlines flying from Gatwick and Heathrow.

Miss Panchaud lives in Lindfield, near Haywards Heath, and flies all over the world with Gatwick-based airline Virgin.

Newsum became depressed after they split up last year, Lewes Crown Court heard.

Richard Barton, prosecuting, said the calls started in late June and continued until September.

Mr Barton said: "She works as cabin crew on aircraft and has to stay abroad.

"In late June he launched a campaign of harassment against her.

"Calls were made either to her mobile phone or to her hotel while she was abroad.

"In July she was staying in Havana when she received a call at her hotel.

"Newsum got through by claiming to be someone called Matt, but she recognised his voice."

A short time later Newsum called her again and said he had seen her kissing a man in Haywards Heath.

Mr Barton said Miss Panchaud believed Newsum was following her because she had kissed a male friend on the cheek after they met in Haywards Heath.

The court heard that Miss Panchaud also runs a photography business.

She received e-mails asking about wedding photographs from someone claiming to be Louise.

Miss Panchaud suspected they were from Newsum because he is dyslexic and the messages contained spelling mistakes he regularly makes.

She changed her phone numbers and told Newsum she would report him to the police unless he stopped.

He discovered her new numbers and he even managed to find out what her work rota was.

Mr Barton said in September the calls took a "more sinister turn" after a member of Miss Panchaud's family died.

The court heard that although the calls were "deeply distressing" there were never any threats of violence.

Newsum was arrested on September 14 last year and was held in custody for ten days before appearing in court charged with harassment.

The court heard he has a similar conviction for harassing a former girlfriend after that relationship ended in 2003.

Rupert Hallows, defending, said Newsum had problems coping with rejection.

He had sought help for his depression and had not tried to contact Miss Panchaud since he was arrested.

He said Newsum, a steward with British Airways who lives in Lotts Road, Chelsea, west London, has "glowing references" from managers at BA and he hopes to go back to working full-time with the airline.

Recorder Ian Peddie, QC, made a restraining order for two years preventing Newsum from having direct contact with Miss Panchaud.

He must also complete 150 hours unpaid community work and pay £500 towards court costs.